Central Dalmatia
We’ve compiled the best of the best in Central Dalmatia - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.
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1. Cathedral of St. Dominius
GradThe main body of this cathedral is the 3rd-century octagonal mausoleum designed as a shrine to Emperor Diocletian. During the 7th century, refugees from Salona converted it into an early Christian church, ironically dedicating it to St. Duje (St. Domnius), after Bishop Domnius of Salona, one of the many Christians martyred during the late emperor's persecution campaign. The cathedral's monumental main door is ornamented with magnificent carved wooden reliefs, the work of Andrija Buvina of Split, portraying 28 scenes from the life of Christ and dated to 1214. The interior contains a hexagonal Romanesque stone pulpit from the 13th century with rich carvings. The high altar, surmounted by a late-Gothic canopy, was executed by Bonino of Milan in 1427. Nearby is the 15th-century canopied Gothic altar of Anastasius by Juraj Dalmatinac. The elegant, 200-foot, Romanesque-Gothic bell tower was constructed and reconstructed in stages between the 13th and 20th centuries. Climb to the top of the bell tower (sometimes closed in winter during bad weather) for a spectacular view of the entire palace, Split, and the surrounding Adriatic Sea.
3 Ul. Kraj Sv. Duje, Split, Splitsko-Dalmatinska, 21000, CroatiaSight Details
Rate Includes: Cathedral 25 Kn (including crypt); bell tower 20 Kn, Nov.–Apr, daily 8–6; May–Oct., daily 8–7 -
2. Diocletian's Palace
GradThe home of Split's thriving Old Town, Diocletian's Palace is a marvelous maze of restaurants, cafés, shops, and boutiques. The palace dates back to the late 3rd century AD, and originally served as both a luxurious villa and a Roman garrison. Its rectangular shape has two main streets: Dioklecijanova Ulica, which runs north to south, and Poljana Krajlice Jelene, which runs east to west, that divide the palace complex into four quarters. Each of its four walls has a main gate, the largest and most important being the northern Zlatna Vrata (Golden Gate), which once opened onto the road to the Roman settlement of Salona. The entrance from the western wall was the Željezna Vrata (Iron Gate), and the entrance through the east wall was the Srebrena Vrata (Silver Gate). The Mjedna Vrata (Bronze Gate) on the south wall directly faces the sea, and likely served as an entryway for sailors who docked by it during Roman times. There are still more than 1,000 people living within the walls today. Hire an experienced private guide that can give you a walking tour in the early morning hours in order to experience the true history of the palace walls without the crowds.
View Tours and ActivitiesObala Hrvatskog Narodnog Preporoda, Split, Splitsko-Dalmatinska, 21000, Croatia -
3. Meštrović Gallery
MejeA short walk from the Riva, this must-see gallery is in a tranquil location overlooking the sea, surrounded by extensive gardens. Ivan Meštrović (1883-1962), one of Europe's greatest 20th-century sculptors, originally designed this building as his summer residence during the 1920s and '30s. Some 200 of his sculptural works in wood, marble, stone, and bronze are on display, both indoors and out. The gallery is a green oasis in the center of the city with an open-air café that is frequented by children and families during the day and young locals in the evening. It's a great place to escape the crowded city streets and enjoy a refreshing drink surrounded by a stunning collection of a master's work.
Šetalište Ivana Meštrovicá 46, Split, Splitsko-Dalmatinska, 21000, Croatia021-340–800Sight Details
Rate Includes: 50 Kn, includes entrance to Crikvine-Kaštilac, Closed Mon., May–Sept., Tues.–Sun. 9–7; Oct.–Apr., Tues.–Sat. 9–4, Sun. 10–3 -
4. City Museum
GradSplit's city museum is worth a visit both to marvel at the collection of medieval weaponry and to see the interior of this splendid 15th-century town house. The dining room, on the first floor, is furnished just as it would have been when the Papalić family owned the house, giving some idea of how the aristocracy of that time lived.
Papaličeva 1, Split, Splitsko-Dalmatinska, 21000, Croatia021-360–171Sight Details
Rate Includes: 25 Kn, Closed Sun., May–Oct., Tues.–Fri. 9–9, Sat.–Mon. 9–4; Nov.–Apr., Tues.–Fri. 10–4, Sat. 9–1, Sun. 10–1 -
5. Crikvine-Kaštilac
MejeThis small chapel contains a magnificent collection of Ivan Meštrović's work that was produced over a period of 40 years and depicts the life of Christ in a series of bas-relief wood carvings that many consider among Meštrović's finest work. Viewing the entire series should not be rushed and it's worth visiting in conjunction with his other works in the gallery.
Šetalište Ivana Meštrovicá 39, Split, Splitsko-Dalmatinska, 21000, CroatiaSight Details
Rate Includes: 50 Kn, includes entrance to Meštrović Gallery, Closed Mon., May–Sept., Tues.–Sun. 9–7; Oct.–Apr., Tues.–Sat. 9–4, Sun. 10–3 -
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6. Ethnographic Museum
GradOccupying a splendid location within the walls of Diocletian's Palace, this museum displays traditional Dalmatian folk costumes and local antique furniture among other objects that give visitors a look into everyday life in historic Dalmatia. If you are staying in Split for more than a day, be sure to pick up your free SplitCard, which gives you free entry to certain museums and galleries and reduced rates at other establishment, including some restaurants and cafés. Just ask the staff at your hotel or go to the nearest Tourist Information Center to pick one up.
Iza Vestibula 4, Split, Splitsko-Dalmatinska, 21000, Croatia021-344–161Sight Details
Rate Includes: 20 Kn, free if you have the SplitCard, Closed Sun., June–Sept., Mon.–Fri. 9–7, Sat. 9–1; Oct.–May, Mon.–Fri. 9–4, Sat. 9–1 -
7. Golden Gate
GradFormerly the main entrance into the palace, the northern Zlatna Vrata is the most visited of the four gates—two guards in Roman costume stand here throughout the summer. Just outside the Zlatna Vrata stands Meštrović's gigantic bronze statue of Grgur Ninski (Bishop Gregory of Nin). During the 10th century, the bishop campaigned for the use of the Slav language in the Croatian Church, as opposed to Latin, and found himself at odds with Rome. This statue was created in 1929 and first placed on Peristil, then moved here in 1954. Note the big toe on the left foot, which is considered to be a good luck charm and has been worn gold and smooth through years of rubbing.
Split, Splitsko-Dalmatinska, 21000, Croatia -
8. Marjan
MarjanSituated on a 3½-km-long (2-mile-long) peninsula covered with pine trees and Mediterranean shrubs, 585-foot-tall Marjan Hill has been a protected nature reserve since 1964. It is known as the "lungs of the city" because of all its greenery and the fact that locals flock to it on weekends as a nearby recreational area. There are stunning views from the top and rocky beach areas circling the peninsula. Paths crisscrossing the grounds are suitable for biking and jogging. There are 13 small churches and chapels throughout the park, including St. Jerome (sv. Jeronim), which was built in the 15th century into a rock face and includes Renaissance-style stone reliefs on the walls. The beaches on this side are more relaxed and offer shade, but there is limited access for cars, which helps to preserve the wilderness of the park. There are bikes to rent and water sports available too.
View Tours and Activities -
9. Museum of Croatian Archaeological Monuments
MejeOne of the oldest Croatian museums, it houses more than 20,000 Croatian archaeological artifacts, only a quarter of which are regularly on display. Among the most interesting exhibits are fine stone carvings decorated with traditional plaitwork designs. In the garden are several stećci, medieval monolithic tombstones. The museum also conducts archaeological excavations in the southern Croatian regions between the Cetina and Zrmanja rivers and has a large collection of cultural and historical guidebooks on early medieval monuments in Croatia.
Šetalište Ivana Meštrovića 18, Split, Splitsko-Dalmatinska, 21000, Croatia021-323–901Sight Details
Rate Includes: 20 Kn, Mon.–Fri. 9–2 and 4–8, Sat. 9–2 -
10. People's Square
GradThis is the main city square (locally known as a pjaca) and can be accessed from Diocletian's Palace through the western or Iron Gate. Historically this was an important gathering place for Splićani (people from Split), and remains so today. In the 15th century, several major public buildings were constructed here: the Town Hall (that today houses a contemporary art gallery), plus the Rector's Palace and a theater. The latter two were sadly demolished by the Habsburgs in the 19th century. A Secessionist building at the west end of the square stands as a testament to that era. Once the city center of administration, it is now a prime location for kicking your feet up and indulging in one of the many restaurants and cafés that line the white marble square.
Narodni trg, Split, Splitsko-Dalmatinska, 21000, Croatia -
11. Peristil
GradFrom Roman times to the present day, this has been the main public meeting place within the palace walls. The spacious central courtyard is flanked by marble columns topped with Corinthian capitals and richly ornamented cornices linked by arches. There are six columns on both the east and west sides and four more at the south end, which mark the monumental entrance to the Vestibul. During summer, occasional live concerts are held here.
Split, Splitsko-Dalmatinska, 21000, Croatia -
12. Temple of Jupiter
GradRoman Emperor Diocletian ordered the construction of this temple to worship the god Jupiter. It was eventually converted into a baptistery by Christians, who were greatly persecuted during the emperor's reign. The entrance is guarded by a black-granite sphinx that stands in front of the cathedral. The sphinx, brought to the palace from Egypt by Diocletian, was partially destroyed by Christians as revenge for the persecution they suffered during his rule. Inside, beneath the coffered barrel vault and ornamented cornice, the 11th-century baptismal font is adorned with a stone relief showing a medieval Croatian king on his throne. Directly behind it stands the bronze statue of St. John the Baptist, a work from Meštrović.
Kraj sv. Ivana 2, Split, Splitsko-Dalmatinska, 21000, CroatiaSight Details
Rate Includes: 15 Kn, May–Oct., daily 8–7 -
13. Vestibul
GradThe cupola of this domed space would once have been decorated with marble and mosaics. Today there's only a round hole in the top of the dome, but it produces a stunning effect: picture the dark interior, the blue sky or a star-lit night above, and the tip of the cathedral's bell tower framed in the opening.
Split, Splitsko-Dalmatinska, 21000, Croatia -
14. Vidović Gallery
GradEmanuel Vidović (1870–1953) is acknowledged as one of Split's greatest painters and in this gallery, you can see 69 of his original works, bought by the city from his family. Large, bold canvases depict local landmarks cast in hazy light, while the sketches done outdoors before returning to his studio to paint are playful and colorful.
Poljana kraljice Jelene bb, Split, Splitsko-Dalmatinska, 21000, Croatia021-360–155Sight Details
Rate Includes: 10 Kn; guided tours in English 100 Kn, Closed Mon., June–Sept., Tues.–Fri. 9–9, weekends 9–4; Oct.–May, Tues.–Fri. 10–5, Sat. 9–1, Sun. 10–1
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